Revista Ambiente & Água - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science

1-11

Authors: Renata Gaudereto Andries*; Antonio Teixeira de Matos; Wallisson da Silva Freitas

The plant productivity and extraction capacity of nutrients present in swine wastewater (SWW) were quantified over 60 days in three horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CW) grown with three different plant species (Typha latifolia, Alternanthera philoxeroides and Cynodon dactylon). The results show the decay of the dry matter yield (DMY) and the nutrient extraction capacity (NEC) by the plants throughout the system, which gave rise to the equations that relate these parameters to the hydraulic retention time (HRT) for each species. When possible, general equations that are independent of the plant species were also evaluated. The best model fit for the dry matter yield and N-total, N-ammoniacal, N-nitrate and P extraction by plants as a function of HRT was the decreasing potential and for K extraction was the linear regression. The coefficients of determination of equations for the species Alternanthera philoxeroides and Cynodon dactylon were, for the most part, higher than 0.8. On the other hand, the general equations presented coefficient of determination greater than 90% in all cases.

1-10

Authors: Natan Kasper*; Rodrigo Patera Barcelos; Maicol de Mattos; Suzymeire Baroni

Numerous pollution factors generate changes in water quality and in organisms that depend on this resource, as they may contain substances with mutagenic, genotoxic and cytotoxic properties that affect the genetic integrity of organisms. The Clarimundo Stream is located in the city of Cerro Largo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from which it passes through an agricultural area and crosses the city receiving discharges of untreated household waste. This work evaluated the genotoxic potential of these waters through a bioassay with Allium cepa, usually used in biomonitoring studies. Four water collections were conducted in each season and three points were marked for the analyses. The Allium cepa bulbs were germinated for 72 hours, in the proportion of three for each sample of collection points and three in distilled water for control parameters. Subsequently, the roots were submitted to the Feulgen procedure with modifications, for the preparation of the slides. The data were submitted to statistical analysis by the Tukey test with reliability of 5%. The results showed chromosomal alterations and Mitotic Index values suggesting that the water of Clarimundo Stream has the potential to cause damage to the genome of eukaryotic organisms.

1-10

Authors: Constança Simões Barbosa; Elainne Christine de Souza Gomes; Rodrigo Moraes Loyo*; Mariana Izabel Sena Barreto de Melo Cavalcanti; Iris Edná Pereira Silva; Andréa Sobral de Almeida; Reinaldo Souza-Santos

This study sought to identify and spatialize the risk of transmission of Manson’s schistosomiasis at localities in Pernambuco, Brazil that are used for tourist leisure activities and have freshwater environments that are inhabited by the snail that transmits this disease. In order to accomplish this, malacological surveys were conducted at the selected localities between May and December 2016, in order to identify and georeference the breeding sites and foci of schistosomiasis-transmitting mollusks of the genus Biomphalaria. The essential abiotic data for mollusk survival were evaluated at each breeding site: temperature, water pH and total dissolved solids (TDS). Data relating to breeding site quality were also recorded. The SPSS 20 software was used to analyze these data, and the chi-square test was applied to investigate associations between variables, taking a p-value ≤ 0.5. Based on geographic coordinates, maps representing the distribution of breeding sites and foci, mollusk species found and numbers of mollusks sampled in each water body were created. ArcGIS 10.4 software was used to build thematic maps using the interpolation technique of inverse distance weighting (IDW). A total of 72 localities distributed among 44 municipalities located in the Metropolitan, Zona da Mata and Agreste regions of Pernambuco were investigated. At these, 26 reservoirs, 32 breeding sites and 10 foci of schistosomiasis intermediate hosts were found. The study identified and located problematic localities that are visited by special groups that through exposure to unhealthy environments are subject to infection by the parasite S. mansoni.

1-9

Authors: Paulo André Vasco Barbosa; Claudio José Cavalcante Blanco*; André Luiz Amarante Mesquita; Yves Secretan

The exploitation of surplus energy through the setup of hydrokinetic parks in reservoirs downstream from hydroelectric plants is on the increase worldwide. Costly measurements in loco are required in order to estimate the amount of energy that may be extracted from a river. However, river modeling provides river velocities and depths whereby the power of hydrokinetic parks may be estimated. Velocities and depths were simulated with a Saint-Venant 2-D model applied to a downstream reservoir of the Tucuruí hydroelectric dam. Velocities were extrapolated in the vertical direction by means of a logarithmic function to determine the vertical velocity profile, which transfers energy to the turbines. The turbine diameters were defined according to the depths of the studied section and information available in the literature. In the analyzed section, 73 turbines with approximately 3 MW may be installed. Power may be greater if other sections are evaluated. However, studies on environmental impacts and production reduction due to decrease of water level downstream the hydroelectric plant should be taken into account prior to the installation of hydrokinetic plants.

1-10

Authors: Nayara Paula Andrade Vieira*; Eduardo de Oliveira Bueno; Silvio Bueno Pereira; Carlos Rogério de Mello

Hydroelectricity is responsible for the greatest fraction of the electric energy generated in Brazil. The water footprint of hydropower plants (WFP) is an important indicator of the sustainable and efficient use of water resources. In this context, WFP of the Sobradinho Hydropower Plant was determined for the period from 2003 to 2012, taking into account the reservoir’s historical variation for the flooded area. To accomplish this, monthly series of electric energy production, flooded area, evaporation and evapotranspiration rates were used. Average gross and net evaporation were 2,031 and 1,577 mm year-1, respectively. The average power generation of this facility in the analyzed period was 462 MW, and the flooded area of its reservoir presented an average value of 3,054 km². Based on the monthly data, the gross and net water footprints were, respectively, 417 and 325 m³ GJ-1. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the changes in the reservoir’s area exert direct and important influence on the WFP estimates of the Sobradinho hydropower plant. The WFP estimates in this study were different from other studies that adopted a constant value of 4,214 km² for this reservoir’s area, which is taken based on the normal water level of the plant operation.

1-11

Authors: Ana Kaline da Costa Ferreira; Nildo da Silva Dias*; Francisco Souto de Sousa Junior; Daianni Ariane da Costa Ferreira; Cleyton dos Santos Fernandes; Tiago de Sousa Leite

Composting is an alternative for recycling biodegradable organic waste, transforming it into organic fertilizer that can be used as agricultural nutrients, avoiding its disposal in landfills. This study evaluated the composting of household organic waste as a substitution for cattle manure, with a view to its application in the fertilization of cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum Mill., Var. Cesariforme). Thus, compost piles were set up using 30% organic waste (carbon source) and 70% tree-pruning residues (filling material). Two sources of organic waste were tested: household food waste (FW) and cattle manure (CM), at five proportions (15% FW + 15% CM, 10% FW + 20% CM, 20% FW + 10% CM and the controls 30% CM and 30% FW). After 90 days, the mature compost from each pile was mixed with coconut fibre in a 1:1 ratio and used as substrate filled in 15 L plastic pots, where the cherry tomato plants were grown. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in a randomized block design, with five treatments and five replicates. Assessments of growth and leaf mineral composition were performed for the cherry tomato plants. The results indicate that cattle manure can be replaced by household food waste as the organic material used in compost piles. Fertilization with organic compost from household food waste positively influenced the growth and nutrient assimilation in the leaf tissue of cherry tomato.

1-12

Authors: Geovani Soares de Lima*; Adaan Sudario Dias; Leandro de Pádua Souza; Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá; Hans Raj Gheyi; Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos Soares

Due to the scarcity of water in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the use of saline water in agriculture should be considered as one alternative for irrigated agriculture. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments, growth and production of West Indian Cherry as a function of irrigation using waters with different salinity levels and potassium (K) fertilization, after grafting. The study was carried out in drainage lysimeters under greenhouse conditions, in a eutrophic Regolithic Neosol with sandy loam texture, in the municipality of Campina Grande, PB. The experiment was set in a randomized block design, to test two levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity - ECw (0.8 and 3.8 dS m-1) and four K2O doses - KD (50, 75, 100 and 125% of recommendation), with three replicates. The dose relative to 100% corresponded to 79.2 mg K2O kg-1 of soil. Irrigation with high salinity water stimulated the biosynthesis of chlorophyll b and carotenoids, while the chlorophyll a content and the growth of the cherry were reduced markedly in the post-grafting phase. The harmful effects of salinity on the total number of fruit and fresh mass of West Indian Cherry fruit were minimized with potassium fertilization.